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Accessibility Requirements

Universal design

The purpose of universal design is to assure that anyone visiting a website has the best possible experience, with access to information and services regardless of technology or physical abilities. When our web visitors are unable to complete their task because a UNT website is not compatible with their device, browser or adaptive technology, they become frustrated and our brand is damaged.

Universal design principles assure the success of websites and services if the following guidelines are tested during the design, content and launch phases. A simple acronym to remember is POUR (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable and Robust).

Perceivable

Since not everyone has the same abilities or equal use of the same senses, one of the keys to accessibility is ensuring that information is transformable from one form into another. Some general guidelines:

Operable

Not everyone uses a standard keyboard and mouse to access the web. Some people rely on adaptive technologies, such as speech recognition software, touchscreens or specially designed keyboards, that accommodate their disabilities. However, keyboard accessibility is one of the most important principles of web accessibility because content that's accessible by the keyboard is operable by the devices that emulate keyboard functionality. Some general guidelines:

Test your website or service for navigation using only the keyboard and tab key.

Make sure the features of the website work without javascript.

If plugins are used for navigation or features, test that the site functions without the plugin.

Understandable

Most web content contains information communicated through language. The message should be as easy to understand as possible. The wording, as well as the words used, should be simple and concise. Some general guidelines:

Text can be supplemented with illustrations, videos, animations, audio and content in other alternative formats. In fact, for some people with more severe cognitive disabilities or people with reading disabilities, these alternative formats may be necessary for comprehension.

Robust

Users should be allowed to choose their own technologies to access web content. This allows the users to customize their technologies to meet their needs, including accessibility needs. Web content that requires a certain technology, such as a certain browser or plugin, may exclude some types of users who either don't want to use that technology or can't use it. Some general guidelines:

Test the website or service in multiple browsers.

Test the website or service on multiple screen resolutions and sizes.

Test the website on a mobile device or device emulator.

Provide alternate content that can be accessed if a user does not have a plugin.